Major Political Parties

Kadima

Party Leader: Tzipi LivniCampaign Slogans: 1) The Courage to Change. 2) A Different leadership.

Official Web Site: http://www.kadima.org.il/Key Points In Platform:

Supports a negotiated peace process based entirely on
the 'Road Map' Peace Plan, eventually leading to the creation of a
Palestinian state as articulated at the Annapolis Peace Conference.
However, will not negotiate with Hamas-led PA unless Hamas accepts Israel's right to exist, accepts past agreements between Israel and the Palestinians and ends all
violence.

No further unilateral withdrawals; although Israel reserves the right to unilaterally draw final borders if the Palestinians do not
fulfill their obligations under the Road Map.

Favors keeping the 'major settlement blocks' (Ariel,
Gush Etzion and Ma'alei Adumim) within the final borders of Israel.

Governmental reform to stem the power of Central
Committees in Israeli political parties.

Continue to pursue a moderate, market-based economy.

Plans to introduce legislation to legalize civil
marriage and burial.

What the critics are saying about Kadima:
Kadima, led by Ehud Olmert, has achieved very little and may have actually
resided over Israel's first military loss during a war. The Winograd
Commission, that was designed to look into the war and its failings, was
scathing in its criticism of Israel's leadership during the war. Olmert's
popularity descended to an unprecedented single digit as he fought legal
issues. Livni called for Olmert to resign but then retracted her call. Livni's
close association with Olmert has tarnished her image.

Labor

Party Leader: Ehud BarakCampaign Slogans: Look Me in the Eyes and See the Truth, Not Nice, a
Leader

Willing to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority
while remaining strong on security.

In favor of the creation of a Palestinian state, while
dismantling isolated settlements.

Favours increasing the minimum wage,
guaranteeing pensions to every employee, and increasing social security
benefits for the elderly and the handicapped.

Favors maintaining the religious status quo

What the critics are saying about Labor:
Few seem to be able to widely differentiate Labor's policies from Kadima's.
Since Barak's return to political leadership, he has not been able to stand out
and many still resemble his previous leadership and the rumors about his
arrogance and tempestuousness. Labor is also veering further away from its
socialist origins as it is seen as backed by big-business tycoons and has
achieved very little on the issues of welfare.

Likud and Ahi

Party Leader: Binyamin NetanyahuCampaign Slogans: Because we have a country to run, Remaining strong
togetherOfficial Web Site:http://en.netanyahu.org.il/Key Points In Platform:

Has stated willingness to negotiate peace with
Palestinian leadership "not compromised by terror", but
adamantly refuses to negotiate with Hamas and any member of the Hamas-led
PA.

In favor of a realistic solution to the advancement of
the peace-process. This is accentuated by an economic peace-plan which
will bolster the Palestinian economy.

Opposed to dismantling of major settlements

Continue economic reforms started by Netanyahu as
Finance Minister

Favors maintaining status quo in religious/state
issues

What the critics are saying about Likud:
Likud has taken many newcomers to its list and it appears hard to tell where
exactly they fall on the political spectrum. While it has the likes of Dan
Meridor and Uzi Dayan on the left of the party, it also has the likes of Moshe
Yaalon and Benny Begin who are diametrically opposed. Critics have argued that
Likud is running a specifically vague campaign so as not to accentuate the
differences within the party.

Other Political Parties

Yisrael Beitenu-'Israel is our Home'

Party Leader: Avigdor Liberman Campaign Slogans: Lieberman, I trust him! Leadership You Can Trust. Official Website:http://beytenu.org/Key Points in Platform:

A belief that the "land for peace
approach" is fundamentally flawed  only a "land for land  peace for
peace" approach, in which both parties compromise and commit to certain
terms, can succeed.

Strong security and anti-crime platform

The desire to see Israel join NTAO and the EU

Easing of conversions and the introduction of civil
unions, while strengethening the Jewish nature of the state.